Is the charming peace and quiet of the Emerald Isle in danger, given that roughly a million visitors arrive every month? Probably not, unless your primary interests in Dublin are the Guinness brewery tour and the Book of Kells. But if you want to get away from it all, these less-visited spots are perfect.
Dunquin, Kerry
Dunquin, a Gaeltacht settlement, is known for its expansive skies and beautiful landscape. It is located on the Dingle Peninsula, between the ocean and the hills. Clear skies allow us a view of the distant Basket Islands. There is a thriving pub culture in this area; in fact, Kruger’s Bar is where the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) got its start. The Dingle Way, a walking path circling the Peninsula at 179 kilometers in length, is open to the public.
Waterford, in the Copper Coast
The Copper Coast is located in southeast Ireland, about a half-hour’s drive from Waterford. From Tramore to Dungarvon, the Atlantic Ocean can be seen lapping at the shore. Named after the copper mining industry that once dominated the area, this coastline is studded with eerie abandoned artifacts that serve as reminders of its industrial history.
The cliffs and sea stacks along the coast have a coppery color, and in the sunlight, they glow a rich red. Some of the most peaceful lengths of beach in all of Ireland may be found here, and the surrounding towns are charming as well. Dunhill Castle, which may be visited for free, was built in the early 1200s and provides stunning vistas of the River Anne.
Sligo County
Sligo, in Northern Ireland, is the place to go if you’ve traveled to Ireland in quest of the craic but found Dublin’s Temple Bar lacking. The town’s music culture is among the greatest in the country, despite the fact that it is less well-known than the town’s literary past or the rocky scenery beyond the city walls. It appears that every bar in town regularly hosts either a live band or an open mic night. As you stroll through the pleasant town, you’ll be serenaded by street performers at every turn. Salmon fishing is popular in the area due to its proximity to the River Bonet, while neighboring Strandhill is home to some of Ireland’s greatest surfing waves.
Beara Peninsula in County Cork
The Ring of Beara is not as remote as the Ring of Kerry or the Dingle Peninsula, but it does receive less attention from tourists. In the very southwest of Ireland, on a peninsula all its own, is where you’ll find the Ring of Beara. The winding, hilly country roads have tiny lanes. If you’re in a hurry, forget it; you’ll be caught behind a farmer driving his flock or herd between fields. Especially in Allihies, the houses in the surrounding villages are a kaleidoscope of colors.
County Laois’s Slieve Bloom Mountains
This mountain range in central Ireland is one of the most beautiful yet little-visited areas in all of Ireland. Slieve Bloom Way is a must-do if you enjoy activities such as cycling, walking, or horseback riding in the great outdoors. The environment is just breathtaking, and there isn’t a single tour bus in sight.
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